The New Orleans Pelicans will visit the LA Clippers in the first group stage game of this year’s NBA Cup for both sides. The Pelicans are struggling mightily going into this contest and the Clippers are the biggest favorite of the night in pro basketball as a result. Before these teams open their NBA Cup campaigns against one another, continue reading to get my Pelicans vs Clippers prediction for Friday night.
Our Pelicans vs Clippers Pick
- Pick: LA Clippers ‑10.5
- Confidence: 4/5
Game Snapshot
- Matchup: New Orleans Pelicans @ Los Angeles Clippers
- Date & Time: Friday, October 31, 2025, 10:30 p.m. ET
- Venue: Intuit Dome, Inglewood, CA
- Broadcast: NBA League Pass
Key Storylines
- The Pelicans enter 0‑4 and are suffering through a rough offensive and defensive stretch. They are losing their games by an average of 19 points per game early in the season. New Orleans will be desperate to steal a win to open their NBA Cup campaign and put their rough start behind them.
- The Clippers are 2‑2 so far and returning home after a road loss to the Golden State Warriors. They’ve averaged 121.5 points per game at home compared to just 93.5 points per game on the road this season.
- The Clippers appear healthier, as Bradley Beal has been removed from the injury report and is expected to play. The Pelicans are without Dejounte Murray and Kevon Looney is questionable to take part in this contest as well.
- The Clippers offseason overhaul added veteran firepower in the likes of Beal, John Collins, and Brook Lopez. They also retained stars like Kawhi Leonard and James Harden, so expectations are high for this roster.
Head‑to‑Head & Betting Trends
- This is the first regular-season meeting of the year between these teams. They will play three more times, all in the month of March.
- The Clippers are 1-3 against the spread going into this matchup.
- New Orleans is 0-3-1 against the spread through four games. They are winless both straight up and against the number.
- Both teams are 2-2 on over/unders for the season going into tonight’s game.
Best Player Props to Watch
| Player | Prop |
|---|---|
| Zion Williamson | Over 21.5 points |
| Kawhi Leonard | Under 23.5 points |
| James Harden | Over 8.5 assists |
| Ivica Zubac | Over 10.5 rebounds |
Pelicans vs Clippers Model Projection
Score Projection: Pelicans 98 – Clippers 113
Win Probability: Pelicans 15%, Clippers 85%
Final Thoughts
It is entirely possible that the New Orleans Pelicans have the worst team in the NBA right now. They are playing poorly on both ends of the floor, as evidenced by their incredibly lopsided average margin. We should see the Clippers win handily in this game and I recommend laying the points with the home team in what could be the biggest blowout of the night in The Association.
